Word to the Wise
Monday, November 22, 2021 - Monday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
[Dan 1:1-6, 8-20 and Luke 21:1-4]When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." [Luke]
NOVEMBER 22 ST. CECILIA, virgin and martyr
Scripture scholars and archaeologists tell us that the depositories for offerings at the temple were made of metal and shaped like large trumpets with the flared part up. Large offerings would make a large sound - a CLANK - which would draw notice, as Jesus commented. The poor widow's "mite" would make only a "clink, clink." That small sound, however, drew the Lord's notice and his comment about her giving her entire livelihood. Commentators note that because this incident occurs in Jesus' last days in Jerusalem, he may be referring to his coming sacrifice of his own life.
Money has a way of defining a person's value in society. But today's gospel scripture assures us that money is not the Lord's test of a person. This seems at times to be lost in our own church! The concepts of private wealth and personal value can become confused with one another and the gifts of the poor are scarcely noticed. "The love of money is the root of all evil!" as St. Paul noted. [1 Tim. 6:10] When it is coupled with the desire for POWER, corruption sets in even in the best intentioned people.
The poor widow gave more than money. She gave "her whole livelihood." The Lord doesn't need money. "Man judges by appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart!" [1 Sam. 16:6-7]. How do we "give" when it comes to time, treasure and talent? The Lord listens for the "clink, clink" as well as the "CLANK!" AMEN